I am not going to bore anyone with previously well documented historical details, facts, stats and the like for Nintendo’s first home gaming console, the Nintendo Entertainment System. There are hundred of blogs, webpages, YouTube channels and even hardcover books devoted to this iconic console. Everyone already understands the NES’s impact on video gaming, the reviving of the home video game market and the plethora of iconic games that have stood the test of time 30 years or more after their release. Everyone knows how IMPORTANT this console was to a generation, my generation. My memories of owning and playing a NES likely mirror millions of other kids that grew up in the 80s. Instead, what I am going to do is share my own specific childhood memory associated with getting a NES for Christmas in 1987.

My original NES with box. The box still has the price tag sticker in the top right corner. Only $79.99!

30 years ago to the month I received my very first home video game console, the Nintendo Entertainment System. I remember as a 12 year old at the time, that Christmas 1987 was the year I received the greatest present in my short life and the one and only item on my Christmas wish list. Up until this time, I had exclusively been playing on friend’s NES consoles as well as getting my Super Mario Bros fix at the local bowling alley’s Playchoice 10. After 12 long months, that was no longer going to suffice for me. I begged and pleaded but my parents weren’t exactly thrilled to spend over $100 on a single Christmas gift. I somehow convinced them that it truly was what I needed, notice I didn’t say wanted, and I explained to them that no additional gifts were necessary for me that year as long as I got a NES. I was with them the day they picked it up at the Kay-Bee toy store in the local mall sometime in late-December and assured them I didn’t NEED the more expensive Deluxe set that came with R.O.B., the light gun, Duck Hunt and Gyromite. All I wanted was the control deck with Super Mario Bros and I was good to go. The long 40 minute drive back home didn’t help to ease my anticipation. It was evening and the car was too dark so I couldn’t even properly scan over my console box and review the game titles and screenshots on the back. By the time we arrived back home, it was much too late for me to open it up and play it.

The back of my original box. All I know is that those kids have no idea how to actually hold a NES controller.

I was forced to wait until the next morning before I could carefully and meticulously open the box, remove all of the contents, read the instructions and eventually play my Nintendo. I recall it being a long, restless evening of sleep. I guess I should be thankful my parents didn’t make me wait until Christmas day to open up my gift. I don’t remember exactly how many days prior to Christmas that I received my NES but it wasn’t Christmas Eve, that’s for sure.

The next morning I was completely consumed with playing Super Mario Brothers over and over again. I had spent a lot of my paper route money playing it at the arcade and was pleased to find that the home version was a bit easier. I invited a friend over to join me in my Super Mario marathon that first day as a Nintendo owner. I wanted to share the joy of my new toy with my best friend. Fortunately, I had a birthday coming up in a few weeks so I was planning on asking for a second cartridge but wasn’t sure which one yet. It didn’t matter. At that moment, I had in my possession the greatest video game ever made! For the remainder of 1987, the arcades in my town would not see another quarter from me. I now had a potential arcade machine at home. I was playing with power!

The poster that came with the console that I adorned with stickers. I had this on my wall next to posters of Michael Jordan & Dominique Wilkins. R.O.B. was still the face of the console at the time.

The NES shaped my gaming future and the types of games I enjoy today all have something in common with games I enjoyed then. I have more NES titles in my gaming collection than I do for any other system. It’s also the console I still play the most to this day and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

The NES is one of the most iconic classic gaming consoles of all time and it has transcended my generation as to what younger people now think of when they think of classic or retro gaming. The Atari VCS/2600 used to hold this title but that torch has now been passed on to the NES. There will be a day in the not too distant future, where the NES will be considered a bygone relic and retro gaming’s face will take the form of a different console. Maybe it will be the PlayStation 2? Maybe it will be the Nintendo 64? Maybe it will be the XBox 360? It’s hard to guess as it ultimately depends on how well these consoles and the games associated with them hold up over time and who in the gaming community will continue to fly those system’s respective flags. All I am certain of is that the Nintendo Entertainment System will be the one console I will cherish above any others and will be my favorite to collect for and continue to play. Thanks mom and dad and Merry Christmas!

Jason is a retro gaming enthusiast that cut his teeth in 80's arcades before graduating to home consoles with the NES during the magical Christmas of 1987. He enjoys collecting and playing consoles and games from all eras but the 80's and 90's are his bread and butter. After more than 30 years of buying and collecting video game consoles and games he has chosen to document his extensive collection while providing personal retro gaming experiences on his Cartridge Corner blog. Jason is also the Author and Chief Games Writer at VHS Revival. He is an avid concert goer, a 70's/80's horror movie buff, Prince super-fan and an 80's music fan in general. Jason is from Wisconsin and now lives in St. Louis, Missouri with his wife Mary and daughters Grace and Clara.